1 Oct 1951:C in C, British Air Forces of Occupation/2 Tactical Air Force

Robert Foster was an old boy of
Winchester. He joined the RFC as a direct entrant in Jun 1916 and having
undergone pilot training was posted to No 54 Squadronin France, where he flew Camels.A
spell on home defence duties with 44 Squadron was followed by a return to France
as a flight commander with No 209.Having
already acquired one confirmed victory with 54, he notched up a further 15 with
209 bringing his total to 16 by the end of the war.

On 24 Jan 1923, his incendiary
ammunition spilt out into his Bristol F2B and set the aircraft on fire.Force landing, he and his observer were captured, beaten up and held for
three weeks before being returned.

As Head of the Air Commission in Italy, he was
effectively in command of the Italian Air Force. He
was a representative of the RAF at the funeral of King George VI. Retired
at his own request in order to facilitate the promotion of younger officers.

He was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk in 1968.

Citation for the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross

Lt. (T./Capt.)Robert
Mordaunt Foster.

This officer has taken part in numerous combats
and 1'ed his patrols brilliantly; he has destroyed five hostile machines. On
one occasion he attacked two biplanes single-handed; one he forced down and the
other burst into flames and broke up in the air.